By Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram
Director, Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future,
Communication University of China (Beijing), China
China is one of the largest and leading cotton grower countries globally. The Chinese province, Xinjiang, is the world’s fifth-largest cotton producer and importer. Presently, 30% of the world’s fine Cotton comes from China. The exceptional quality of Xinjiang Cotton is popular in the world. Chinese-made fabric may contain Cotton from domestic or regional sources but Xinjiang cotton has a relatively high yield and good quality. Chinese textile industry is also the biggest contributor to many leading international brands. Moreover, it is the global biggest attire market, accounting for more than 24% of the global sale. Since the reforms (1960), the Chinese economic model has witnessed a profound transformation. The central planning system has given numerous ways vis-à-vis robust developments in many significant domains. Technological advancement provided the impetus to the Chinese industries, including sustainable growth, efficacious farming techniques, a surge in production, efficient agriculture mechanism, and diversifying regional and integrational networks.
Disregarding all these facts, the U.S. remained blind and signed into law the so-called ‘‘Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act’’ as part of its negative rhetoric and propaganda to use Xinjiang to contain China’s rising global influence. The law bans the import in various sectors, including cotton, tomato, and garment supplies from Xinjiang due to the allegation of forced labor and human rights violation. The local Muslim community in Xinjiangis being portrayed as a subject of abysmal poverty, acute injustice, genocide, and grave oppression. However, all the allegations are meaningless and merely politicizing economic campaigns against the rising Chinese economy.The bill had been criticized by many big companies doing business in the area, including Coca-Cola, Apple, and Nike.
American Smear Campaigns against China:
The propaganda against the Chinese cotton industry is an orchestrated attack fueled by Western interests against China’s rising influence. It has been seen that American is trying to balkanize China so that they supposedly create civil unrest among its Muslim population, harm the unity, and cause disruptions within the BRI region. The hostile rhetoric and vicious tactics clearly demonstrate the U.S. imperialistic approach. The Cotton ban will outrightly disrupt the global supply chain because a major portion of the global cotton production has been imported from China. One should not forget the history of the U.S. having a track record of Muslim genocides worldwide. Therefore, imposing sanctions on Chinese Cotton in the name of human rights violation is just a false façade. The groundless sanctions and allegations aimed at maintaining U.S. fading global hegemony. Under the Congress recent passed law, the American government is attempting to deprive workers and farmers in Xinjiang of their very right to pursue better lives. It is not the first time that the U.S.A has shown belligerence towards China. Vaccine conspiracy, G-7 hostile plan, B3W, and politicizing Beijing Olympics 2022 are all clear manifestations of negative American propaganda to sabotage Chinese global outreach and global peace. The U.S. political system is a rich man business fueled by capitalism. It is engulfed with ambiguous policies, entrenched structural failures, social polarization, and dysfunctional democratic model. The rising Islamophobia, racial discrimination, and prejudices persist in America, reflecting a complete strategic paralysis in the country.
Sustainable Development in Xinjiang under the Visionary Chinese Leadership:
China is a social state that works for the well-being of its people, including ethnic minorities. The dynamic leadership under His Excellency President Xi Jinping has taken robust initiatives to enhance the living standard of famers/works of the Xinjiang region. Being an international expert and scholar, I have often visited China, especially the Xinjiang region.During my visits, I have witnessed that China has eliminated poverty and maintained sustainable development in Xinjiang. The employment level is stable and a large number of job opportunities have been created by the startling policies of Chinese leadership. The people are enjoying happy and prosperous lives protected by the law. The modern infrastructure development along with technological advancement has potentially transformed the region. There is religious freedom and unity among people.Thus, fabricating false narrative to disengage and restrict China’s cotton supply would be detrimental for the cotton availability in the international market.
No doubt, America is open to using tricks of sanctions and political manipulation at a frantic pace against China. The U.S. government has a policy to weaponize human rights concerns against countries like China to undermine them strategically while ignoring similar violations committed by its own allies. Looking at the United States past actions against Muslim states, it is hard to comprehend that the government actually cares about the Uyghurs in China but is more focused on undermining its chief global rival. Ironically, the world’s most developed nation remained utterly failed in combating the Covid-19 pandemic, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. On the other side, China has not only provided vaccines to more than 40 countries but also facilitated them with medical aid, pharmaceutical supply, financial fundings, sharing information/expertise, and training. China's cotton industry has become an irreplaceable industrial link in the global cotton textile industry because of its quality raw materials, agriculture productivity, skilled workforce, efficient supply chain, and extended industrial chain. Therefore, the disruption of China's cotton industry is tantamount to disrupting the global cotton industry chain. The United States should be ashamed for its own wrongdoings and human rights abuse record.
As the Chinese saying goes, ‘‘He who perpetrates many injustices is doomed to destruction’’. Thus, America must end its belligerence towards China and uplift the sanctions for the sustainability of the global cotton supply chain.
Edited by ICSF CUC.
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